This American university professor has been arrested in Singapore for allegedly offering money to have sex with children as young as 12 years old.

The accused university teacher has been named as Dr Jason Scott Herrin, 47, with local media reporting that he is an American citizen who worked at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.

Herrin was brought before a court after investigators allegedly discovered child abuse material on his electronic devices and messages with another person that indicate that he was attempting to procure 12-year-old girls for sex.

Herrin was charged today, Tuesday, 25th January, after appearing before a district court.

Investigators, according to local media, found child pornography on his devices, and he has now been charged with possessing 90 photographs and 31 video files containing child abuse material.

The American university professor has also been charged with two counts of communicating with a person to obtain the sexual services of a minor.

Herrin stands accused of having sent one message to a person on 14th November 2019 requesting 12-year-old girls for sex to the tune of SGD 374 (GBP 207).

Herrin also reportedly stands accused of having sent a similar message to a different person on 18th February 2020. He allegedly asked the person to “find a kid” for him, “for a high price, with the intention of procuring sexual services”.

His bail was set at SGD 20,000 (GBP 11,000), and he is next due in court in February. He currently faces up to two and a half years in prison and a fine.

A spokesperson for the university reportedly said that he has been banned from setting foot on campus and has been suspended pending the outcome.